If he retires, Michigan Democrats expect a top official in the state will run in his stead. Wolverine Republicans are more concerned about their candidate prospects for the race — especially after Sen. Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich., walloped former Rep. Peter Hoekstra, a Republican, by 20 points last November.

Michigan GOP insiders were not surprised by Amash’s interest. Paul Welday, a Republican consultant in Michigan, said “there have been rumors to that effect for a while.”

“I think it’s very much still in the embryonic and discussion phases,” Welday added.